THE 



MONTHLY MAGAZINE 



OF 



POLITICS, LITERATURE, AND THE BELLES LETTRES, 

 VOL. XL] APRIL, 1831. [No. 64 



PARLIAMENTARY REFORM. 



The Bill for changing the representation of the people, and new mo- 

 delling the House of Commons, is now fully before the nation. No 

 public measure within memory has been so closely sifted, so vigorously 

 debated, nor resisted and sustained with such an equality of numbers 

 and ability on both sides, Introduced on Tuesday, the 1st of March, 

 it was debated for seven nights before it reached the vote on the first 

 reading. Yet as this debate, long as it was, must be looked on only as 

 explanatory, the debate on the second reading was the true trial of 

 strength. That debate occupied two nights, and might have occupied 

 many more, from the number who were prepared to speak, but the ex- 

 haustion of the House demanded that the discussion should close, and, 

 on Tuesday the 22d, in the most numerous House on record, an assem- 

 blage of six hundred and three members, out of six hundred and fifty- 

 eight the second reading was carried by a majority of ONE ! 



We give the heads of the plan : 



" All boroughs containing less than 2,000 inhabitants, according to the 

 population returns of 1821, to be utterly disfranchised. The number of these 

 boroughs is sixty, and the House would thus be deprived of 119 members. 

 Boroughs containing less than 4000 inhabitants to be deprived of one member 

 each. These amount to forty-seven. Weymouth to lose two of its members. 

 Twenty-seven of the larger counties to return two additional members 

 each. Seven large towns to have two members each. Twenty boroughs 

 one each. The Firisbury, Tower Hamlets, Lambeth and Holborn divisions of 

 the Metropolis to return two members each. York to return two additional 

 members (each Riding returning two.) The Isle of Wight to return one 

 member. Five additional members to be given to Scotland, and three to Ire- 

 land. The House of Commons would thus be diminished by 168 members, 

 while 106 only would be added ; leaving 596 members instead of 658, or 

 effecting a reduction of sixty-two. All persons inhabiting houses of not less 

 than 101. annual value will be entitled to vote for the boroughs in which they 

 reside. All persons holding a lease of twenty-one years and paying 501. rent 

 will be entitled to vote for counties. Non-residents are disqualified to vote. 

 The poll to be taken in two days. 



On this measure, like all those of its school, our own opinion is de- 

 cided. We distinctly and entirely reject the calumny that Toryism is 

 M.M. New Series. VOL. XL No.64. 2 Z 



